THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — West Thurston County Fire Commission candidate Jeff Merryman said a tracking device helped him locate eight campaign signs in a dumpster in Rochester.
“Thought once you become a grown adult you’d quit dealing with bullies,” said Merryman.
After more than a dozen of his campaign signs were removed this fall, Merryman said he hid Apple AirTags, quarter-sized devices that can track a device’s movement, into some of his new signs.
When one disappeared Saturday he located the sign with the device in the dumpster.
The Thurston County Sheriff’s Office is investigating and Merryman said he knows who is responsible. He said the dumpster was on a property owned by Larry Weaver. Merryman said he spoke with Weaver Saturday.
"I called him a thief. He approached me and admitted that he did it and planned on keep doing it," said Merryman.
Weaver, contacted by KING 5 News on Monday, said he has taken approximately six of Merryman’s signs.
Weaver said he only is removing the signs Merryman has illegally placed.
“I put up signs for a living,” said Weaver, a realtor, “I know the rules.”
Weaver said Thurston County’s sign ordinance requires permission from a property owner if someone wants to post a non-commercial sign on the owner’s property, and on any adjacent right-of-way properties.
Weaver said he removed a sign last October calling for a vote against a West Thurston Fire levy.
He said he’s aware of the criminal investigation, but said he believes he’s in the right.
Weaver added he has only removed signs for campaigns he disagrees with.
"I feel I am justified in trying to best protect my community,” said Weaver.